Mathematics- Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
By the end of reception, your child will probably be able to:
- Count reliably up to 20 and place the numbers in order.
- Say which number is one more or one less than a given number.
- Use quantities and objects to do simple addition and subtraction with single-digit numbers.
- Solve problems including doubling, halving and sharing
- Use every-day language to talk about size, weight, capacity, position, distance, time and money to compare quantities and objects and to solve problems.
- Recognise, create and describe patterns.
- Explore characteristics of everyday objects and shapes and use mathematical language to describe them.
How can I help?
The chances are that your child can count a little already. School will build on this knowledge until they are confident with numbers up to 20.
Your child’s teacher will encourage them to use objects to add, subtract and solve counting problems. Toys, teddies, fruit, even classmates can all be roped into number games. Singing number rhymes is fun too, particularly when equipment is being handed around.
It is important that the maths relates to your child’s own experiences. You can help here too. Point out house numbers. Encourage them to recognise numbers when you’re shopping. Or maybe count all the red cars when you go for a walk.
Your child will start to grasp concepts such as size, weight, distance and position. A few sessions playing shop will help your child to understand the basics of money. And there’s nothing like being able to move the hands on a big clock to get to grips with time.
Your child will be encouraged to learn in fun ways. Perhaps they’ll measure their height in hand spans, or maybe they will mess about with some scales and work out that a book weighs the same as five wooden blocks. A splashy hour may result in working out how many cups of water fill a bucket.
Soon they may be making comparisons and using mathematical words to describe every-day objects. For example, their class may line up one day and work out who is the tallest and the shortest and don’t be surprised to be told that your nose is a triangle and your eyes are oval!
Maths questionnaire January 2016
calculations parents’ book KS1 -2 Altham January 2016